steps to make sure your vote is counted

• Check your registration
  Check with your county election official that you are correctly registered to vote if you have recently moved, changed your name, or recently have filled out a voter registration form. If you have recently moved, also find out where you are supposed to vote on Election Day.
• Vote early
  If for any reason there is a chance you cannot get to your local polling place on November 8, request an absentee ballot today, or check with your county election official to see if early voting is being offered in your area. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is November 1! An application for an absentee ballot is contained in your sample ballot, or can be obtained from your county election official. If you have to vote on November 8, 2005 (Election Day), the best times to vote are between 10am and 4pm.
  
• Check your ballot
  If you vote by mail, make sure to:
  • Check your ballot for errors before you put it into the envelope
  • Provide all required information (especially your signature!) on the envelope
  • Return your ballot so your county election official has it before polls close at 8pm on Nov 8 (you can return it by mailing it to your county election official, by returning it to any polling place or the election office in your county on election day, or by authorizing a legally-allowed third person to return it for you.)
If you vote early or in a precinct, check your ballot for common errors before your cast your ballot:
• Make sure you have correctly voted in all of the races in which you want to vote.
• Make sure you have not "overvoted", or tried to cast more votes than allowed in any races.
• If your early voting or precinct voting location allows you the opportunity to have your ballot checked for errors before you cast your ballot, take advantage of those opportunities.
• If you have any problems, ask for help.
• If you have made a mistake, you have a right to exchange your spoiled ballot for a new ballot.
• See the California Voter's Bill of Rights for more information.
• Bring your sample ballot to vote
  Your sample ballot will list your voting location, which will be open from 7am until 8pm on November 8, 2005. Bring your sample ballot to the early voting location or your election day polling place, both for your own reference and to help expedite the check-in process.
• You have a right to cast a provisional ballot
  If your name does not appear on the list of registered voters and you think you are registered to vote and are in the right precinct, you have the right to cast a provisional ballot. See the California Voter Bill of Rights for this and other important rights you have as a voter.
• Get informed
  Read your voter information booklet and sample ballot that you got in the mail. (If you did not receive one or both, contact your election official immediately as this might indicate a problem with your registration status!)
• LINKS
  • League of Women Voters of California
  • Initiative and Referendum Institute at the University of Southern California
  • California Voter Foundation
  • Voices of Reform Project, Commonwealth Club of California
  • California Secretary of State
  • Easy Voter Guide
  • SmartVoter.org
• This page will be updated periodically with additional information sources.
• Contact your election officials with questions or for help
  
• If you have easy Internet access, you can find the telephone number of your county election official and check with them that you are correctly registered to vote in the November 2005 Special Election (http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_d.htm). Or you can call the California Secretary of State's office at 1-800-345-VOTE (1-800-345-8683) for information as to how to contact your county election official.
• Downloads
  • One-page list of these steps (a good resource for providing to voters going to the polls!)
  • Download our detailed guide, "Steps to Make Sure Your Vote Is Counted: A Guide for Voters"